DO NOT take more than 3 grams daily of omega-3 fatty acids from capsules without the supervision of a health care provider, due to an increased risk of bleeding. Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should only take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider. Omega-3 fatty acids should be used cautiously by people who bruise easily, have a bleeding disorder, or take blood-thinning medications, including warfarin Coumadin , clopidogrel Plavix , or aspirin.
High doses of omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of bleeding, even in people without a history of bleeding disorders, and even in those who are not taking other medications. Fish oil can cause gas, bloating, belching, and diarrhea. Time release preparations may reduce these side effects, however.
People with either diabetes or schizophrenia may lack the ability to convert alpha-linolenic acid ALA to eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA , the forms more readily absorbed by the body. Also, people with type 2 diabetes may experience increases in fasting blood sugar levels while taking fish oil supplements.
If you have type 2 diabetes, use fish oil supplements only under the supervision of a health care provider. Although studies suggest that eating fish which includes the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA may reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a more recent study including 2 large groups of men and women found that diets rich in ALA may increase the risk of this disease.
Fish and fish oil may protect against prostate cancer, but some suggest that ALA may be associated with increased risk of prostate cancer in men. More research in this area is needed. Some fish may contain potentially harmful contaminants, such as heavy metals including mercury , dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls PCBs. For sport caught fish, the U. Environmental Protection Agency EPA recommends that pregnant or nursing women eat no more than a single 6-ounce meal per week, and young children less than 2 ounces per week.
For farm raised, imported, or marine fish, the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA recommends that pregnant or nursing women and young children avoid eating types with higher levels of mercury such as mackerel, shark, swordfish, or tilefish , and eat up to 12 ounces per week of other fish types. Buy fish oil from a reputable source that tests for mercury and pesticide residues in its products. If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use omega-3 fatty acid supplements, including EPA, DHA, and ALA, without first talking to your health care provider.
Blood-thinning medications: Omega-3 fatty acids may increase the effects of blood-thinning medications, including aspirin, warfarin Coumadin , and clopedigrel Plavix. Taking aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids may be helpful in some circumstances such as in heart disease , but you should only take them together under the supervision of a provider. Diabetes medications: Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements may increase fasting blood sugar levels.
Talk to your doctor if you are taking medications to lower blood sugar, such as glipizide Glucotrol and Glucotrol XL , glyburide Micronase or Diabeta , glucophage Metformin , or insulin. Your doctor may need to increase your medication dose. These drugs include:. Cyclosporine: Cyclosporine is a medication given to people with organ transplants. Taking omega-3 fatty acids during cyclosporine Sandimmune therapy may reduce toxic side effects, such as high blood pressure and kidney damage, associated with this medication.
Etretinate and topical steroids: Adding omega-3 fatty acids specifically EPA to the drug therapy etretinate Tegison and topical corticosteroids may improve symptoms of psoriasis.
Cholesterol-lowering medications: Following dietary guidelines, including increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet and reducing the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, may help a group of cholesterol-lowering medications called statins work more effectively. These medications include:. More research is needed to see whether omega-3 fatty acids would have the same effects in people.
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Two trials with apparently conflicting results. J Membr Biol. N-3 Fatty acids for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery: a randomized, controlled trial. J Am Coll Cardiol. Evaluation of the antihyperlipidemic properties of dietary supplements. Chan EJ, Cho L. What can we expect from omega-3 fatty acids? Cleve Clin J Med. Cardiac mortality is associated with low levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the heart of cadavers with a history of coronary heart disease.
Nutr Res. Prospective study of dietary fat and the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Marine n-3 fatty acids, wine intake, and heart rate variability in patients referred for coronary angiography. Cole GM. Omega-3 fatty acids and dementia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. Dietary intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids and risk of colorectal cancer in a prospective cohort of U.
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Omega 3 fatty acids for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Intake of fish and omega-3 fatty acids and risk of stroke in women. They also decrease hyperactivity, impulsiveness, restlessness and aggression 46 , 47 , 48 , Recently, researchers observed that fish oil supplements were one of the most promising treatments for ADHD They improve attention and reduce hyperactivity, impulsiveness and aggression.
It is a major public health concern because it increases your risk of many other illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes Omega-3 fatty acids can improve insulin resistance, inflammation and heart disease risk factors in people with metabolic syndrome 52 , 53 , Summary Omega-3s can have numerous benefits for people with metabolic syndrome.
They can reduce insulin resistance, fight inflammation and improve several heart disease risk factors. Inflammation is a natural response to infections and damage in your body. Therefore, it is vital for your health. However, inflammation sometimes persists for a long time, even without an infection or injury. This is called chronic — or long-term — inflammation. Long-term inflammation can contribute to almost every chronic Western illness, including heart disease and cancer 55 , 56 , Notably, omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of molecules and substances linked to inflammation, such as inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines 58 , Studies have consistently observed a connection between higher omega-3 intake and reduced inflammation 8 , 60 , Summary Omega-3s can reduce chronic inflammation, which can contribute to heart disease, cancer and various other diseases.
In autoimmune diseases, your immune system mistakes healthy cells for foreign cells and starts attacking them. Type 1 diabetes is one prime example, in which your immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.
Studies show that getting enough omega-3s during your first year of life is linked to a reduced risk of many autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, autoimmune diabetes and multiple sclerosis 62 , 63 , Low omega-3 levels have been reported in people with psychiatric disorders Studies suggest that omega-3 supplements can reduce the frequency of mood swings and relapses in people with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder 69 , 70 , Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids may also decrease violent behavior Summary People with mental disorders often have low blood levels of omega-3 fats.
Improving omega-3 status seems to improve symptoms. One review of controlled studies suggests that omega-3 supplements may be beneficial at disease onset, when the symptoms of AD are very mild Keep in mind that more research is needed on omega-3s and brain health. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the Western world, and omega-3 fatty acids have long been claimed to reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Additionally, omega-3 consumption is linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women. However, not all studies give the same results 79 , 80 , Summary Omega-3 intake may decrease the risk of some types of cancer, including colon, prostate and breast cancer.
Severe asthma attacks can be very dangerous. They are caused by inflammation and swelling in the airways of your lungs. Several studies associate omega-3 consumption with a lower risk of asthma in children and young adults 83 , Summary Omega-3 intake has been associated with a lower risk of asthma in both children and young adults.
It has increased with the obesity epidemic to become the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the Western world Dietary intake of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and the risk of prostate cancer.
Am J Clin Nutr. A prospective study of dietary alpha-linolenic acid and the risk of prostate cancer United States. Cancer Causes Control. Effects of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on visual and cognitive development throughout childhood: a review of human studies.
Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. Decline in fish consumption among pregnant women after a national mercury advisory. Obstet Gynecol. The contents of this website are for educational purposes and are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The Nutrition Source does not recommend or endorse any products. Skip to content The Nutrition Source. Harvard T. The Nutrition Source Menu. Search for:. Omega-3 fats are a key family of polyunsaturated fats.
There are three main omega-3s: Eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA come mainly from fish, so they are sometimes called marine omega-3s.
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